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"  Brabus, the German company renowned for producing high performance cars, is unveiling the Brabus High Performance 4WD Full Electric concept car at the Frankfurt Auto Show (IAA) tomorrow. Each wheel is powered by its own electric hub motor developed by Protean Electric, an English company. The unique all-electric car is based on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class.  Each 330-volt motor produces a peak power output of 80 kW, giving the car a total power output of 430 horsepower and an astounding 2,360 ft-lb. of torque. Although each motor, which fits inside a 19-inch wheel, only weighs 68 lbs the gross vehicle weight is about 1,000 lbs heavier than a regular E-Class sedan. Despite this, the car can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds and, more importantly accelerate from 37 to 74 mph in just 5 seconds, which is quicker than a Mercedes-Benz E 500 4Matic.  From a packaging point of view placing the electric motor in a wheel makes tremendous sense. However it increases the unsprung weight, which requires a different suspension design that was developed in conjunction with Bilstein. Brabus uses the empty engine compartment and transmission tunnel, as well as the space vacated by the fuel tank, to house batteries.  The 56kWh lithium-ion battery pack gives the car an official NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) range of 150 miles. When used in Eco mode, with each motor producing 50 kW of power instead of 80 kW, the range jumps to around 217 miles at a constant 62 mph. The battery pack can be charged in five hours using 240 volts, the standard voltage in European houses, or just 1.5 hours on a 380-volt three-phase outlet.  Apart from distributing batteries throughout the car for optimal weight distribution Brabus has also made some external modifications, such as side skirts, for improved aerodynamics. The car&amp;#039;s body weight has been trimmed with aluminum front sport fenders and integrated clear-coated carbon-fiber inserts. In case you&amp;#039;re wondering, in-hub electric motors are not a new idea. Ferdinand Porsche developed one, the Lohner-Porsche, way back in 1900 and the latest Porsche 918 hybrid uses hub motors. However, this Brabus concept car is one of the first modern all-electric &amp;quot;hub motor&amp;quot; cars that will actually be available for sale. No word yet though, on what the limited edition Brabus will cost, or even when it will be available for purchase. Related posts:   2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class \u2013 New York Auto Show preview Mercedes-Benz AMG Cylinder Deactivation Technology Coming to 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show Brabus Unveils a Monster, The World&amp;#039;s Fastest and Most Powerful Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the 788-bhp, 230-mph E V12 Coupe  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a3146/brabus-electric-4wd-mercedes-e-class-at-2011-frankfurt-auto-show-26277/>